Sox and Cubs are haggling over prospects for Theo. Sox originally asked for Garza which was not happening but what if we asked for Byrd?

Byrd would be a big upgrade over McDonald and could man RF almost everyday. I beleive he has 1 year left at 5M. (I could be wrong here)

I would then NOT sign Papi. We all know he has given us 8 great years with huge hits etc but are we willing to pay $10M plus for 2 plus years for a 34 (???) year old DH?

No Ortiz would allow us greater lineup versatility and re-distribute his money to pitching. (take his $10M plus to include in deal for CJ Wilson or Buehlre)

Here is what I am thinking for lineup based on 5 man rotation for time)1. Ellsbury CF2. Crawford LF3. Pedroia 2B4. A-Gon 1B5. Youk 3B (one day a week at DH)6. Byrd/Reddick/Kalish (if Reddick or Kalish play RF they drop in lineup)7. Lavarnay (DH twice a week and catch once or something like that)8. Salty (catch 4 times a week)9. Scutaro/Lowrie--until Iglesisa ready

A couple of interchangeable parts. When Youk DH, Lowrie plays 3rd. The RF position can DH some days too and others can rest at DH (Peddy, Crawford, Ells, A-Gon)

Sox and Cubs are haggling over prospects for Theo. Sox originally asked for Garza which was not happening but what if we asked for Byrd? Byrd would be a big upgrade over McDonald and could man RF almost everyday. I beleive he has 1 year left at 5M. (I could be wrong here) I would then NOT sign Papi. We all know he has given us 8 great years with huge hits etc but are we willing to pay $10M plus for 2 plus years for a 34 (???) year old DH? No Ortiz would allow us greater lineup versatility and re-distribute his money to pitching. (take his $10M plus to include in deal for CJ Wilson or Buehlre) Here is what I am thinking for lineup based on 5 man rotation for time) 1. Ellsbury CF 2. Crawford LF 3. Pedroia 2B 4. A-Gon 1B 5. Youk 3B (one day a week at DH) 6. Byrd/Reddick/Kalish (if Reddick or Kalish play RF they drop in lineup) 7. Lavarnay (DH twice a week and catch once or something like that) 8. Salty (catch 4 times a week) 9. Scutaro/Lowrie--until Iglesisa ready A couple of interchangeable parts. When Youk DH, Lowrie plays 3rd. The RF position can DH some days too and others can rest at DH (Peddy, Crawford, Ells, A-Gon) Rotation: Lester Beckett (please come re-focused in 2012) Buckholx CJ Wilson/Mark Buerhle Daisuke/Aceves/DoubrontPosted by bmccarthy76

the subject of compensation for epstein has been beaten to death. There i NO WAY that the Sox get major league ready talent much less a bordeline all star for a GM who got promoted by moving, had only one year left on his contract and is already signed to a multi-year contract with the Cubs. Selig has already said that he does not like the idea of trading players for executives or coaches.

Byrd, who makes $6.5M in 2012, will turn 35 next August and has seen his OPS decline for 3 straight years to .719 in 2011. Expecting better in 2012 is a wish. He also had a .649 OPS vs lefties last year. We need a guy who can platoon with the Reddick-Kalish winner.

How about replacing Papi's offense with some actual quality 4/5 slot starters? We lose 100-150 points on DH OPs, and can gain close to that back cheaply in RF with someone who can hit lefties well.Posted by moonslav59

Maybe, but I'm not convinced. Make that a 1/2/3 starter and I may bite.